The area of London I call home is…New Cross. I have lived here for years now, and it just felt like home from the very beginning. This area is still largely undiscovered and yet you’re in central London in five minutes by train. I live close to a lovely park, and only a short walk away from some of the best pubs in south east London. We’ve recently had some great cafes open up in the area, including the fantastic Maddy’s Fish Bar on New Cross Road.

Photo: Caro Hutchings

I’ve got to have a meal at… The Royal Albert on New Cross Road – I have been going there for years and the food is always delicious. Further up the hill you’ll arrive at Chapters restaurant in Blackheath, which serves a great all-day menu and some fantastic cocktails. If I’m heading into the centre of town, The Grenadier in Belgravia is one of my favourite places for a cosy meal and they also do the best fish and chips in London. If I’m in Soho, I love going to Kettner’s for cocktails, and the main dining room always has a buzzy atmosphere. Andrew Edmunds along Lexington Street is a must for an intimate meal, with an ever changing, seasonal menu.

I tend to get my threads (clothes) from…the high street and secondhand shops. I really like Whistles, H&M, Zara, and I’ve picked up some lovely pieces recently from Anthropologie. If I’m in secondhand shops, I often find some great accessories.

To enjoy London nightlife, you should…take the people you have the most fun with and bespoke a night around what you want – the beauty of London is the sheer amount of choice. For example, if you want a night of glamour, you can’t beat cocktails at the American Bar in The Savoy. Likewise, you could have a more low-key evening, grab a pizza at Pollo Bar in Soho, and then head onto some of the pubs in the local area – The French House is a must. You can design a night around any budget, that’s why London offers something for everybody.

If I was mayor, I would…make London more pedestrianised, particularly during the summer months. This is a selfish decision on my part as I love walking everywhere, and so the more access I have, the more I can easily navigate my way around the city.

My favourite spot to check out art is…the Hayward Gallery along the Southbank. I actually remember the first exhibition I went to which was Antony Gormley’s ‘Blind Light’ – it was years ago now but it was an evening I’ll never forget. I highly recommend this gallery as it is in a great location to make a day of it too – after you’ve visited the gallery, you can sit with friends along the Southbank and just watch the world go by.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to…explore the capital by foot and head towards those places recommended by Londoners, who have a real insight into what the city has to offer. It’s great to see and visit all the usual sights, but you get a real understanding by exploring those places you never thought to visit before.

The things I miss when I leave London are…the incredible array of restaurants and pubs, as I am a real foodie. In fact, when I arrive back in London, the first thing I do is call my husband and suggest we go and try a new restaurant or pub we haven’t been to before – just one of the many reasons I love London.

My soundtrack to London would include…Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks. It is such a beautiful and atmospheric song, and I often think of it as I’m walking around the city. I was listening to it just the other day in fact, and it just gets better every time – the soundtrack to London, in my opinion.

Follow Stephanie Brookes on Twitter: @stephbrookes

The post Metropolitans: Stephanie Brookes, radio presenter and author appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The menu is refreshingly affordable and varied with something for everyone – and there’s a Nordic slant to dishes that matches the décor of the restaurant; all very clean and simple. At the weekend,   you’ll also get to enjoy a string quartet which also adds to the soothing mood.  The menu offers more than merely just breakfast though, with afternoon tea, lunch and dinner all on offer making it a welcome addition to the Shoreditch restaurant scene. (Words: Lucy Palmer) 

For more info, visit: www.hoi-polloi.co.uk

The post What we’ve been up to… Hoi Polloi appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The post Metropolitans: Camila Fernandez, make-up artist appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The area in London I call home is… Whitechapel. I’ve been here for three years now, but it’s the place that I feel suits me best. I’ve lived in just about every point of the compass at some point, but never settled anywhere before here.

I’ve got to have a meal at… Stingray Globe Cafe. Epic pizza. Nice and small (not the pizza). Super cheap

I tend to get my threads from… Oscar Milo in Spitalfields. It’s an independent place (I think) run by tailors, so what you get is really interesting clothes as they don’t have to worry about making lots of them. They’ve got great details on the shirts, but sadly they’re crazy expensive, so I try not to go there too often!

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you… need to get underground. All the best places are subterranean. Of the places I DJ at, Concrete and the basement of The Book Club are the most fun. Low ceilings, dark, crowded, hot… perfect.

If I was mayor, I would… get a better bicycle. And get more going on, on the Hackney Marshes. The recent BBC gig was great for the area, so hopefully we can have some more stuff over there for those of us that don’t like Rihanna.

My favourite spot to check out art is…  Nelly Duff. It’s a print shop I got to a lot. Galleries tend to leave me a little cold, where as in Nelly Duff’s all the stuff is great and (relatively) affordable.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… try out Zone 2. Spread your wings and ditch the West End.

The things I miss when I leave London are… the subtle differences. I’m a big fan of the little things that add up to make something great. It’s the reason why nude espresso is better than Starbucks. Not one big thing – just lots of little things.

My soundtrack to London would include… Gold by Wake Owl, I Wonder by Rodriguez and Line of Fire by Junip. Or my Itchy Feet radio show of course! www.mixcloud.com/theitchyfeetshow

The post Metropolitans: Leo Bedford, DJ appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

As central London’s largest rooftop bar, if you’re for looking for somewhere a bit special  – perhaps for a date or celebration –  just take the lift up to the sixth floor and stop by for a drink. Fitting in with the impressive surroundings is a drinks menu which of course features champagne and cocktails (though the usual bar drinks are all available). My favourite was the Gin Mary, a Bloody Mary given an update with bacon (!) infused gin.  It gives it an extra kick that somehow works and makes you wonder why more drinks don’t have bacon added to them.

It’s certainly not the cheapest bar in the capital but considering the location it is the perfect place if you’re looking for something special and areas can be hired making it great for a birthday celebration. As for  food, the menu is a relaxed mix of nibbly bits, salads and snacks perfect for picking and even includes caviar if you really want to go all out.

Despite  the chilly winter months ahead,  Vista plans to cover the roof and put on extra heating for comfort, so it’ll be worth the visit – just note  it gets busy and is often used for private events – plus there’s a £5 entry charge after 4pm, though they do donate a £1 to charity.  (Words: Lucy Palmer) 

The post Somewhere You Should Go…Vista Bar appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The area in London I call home is… Hackney. I live near London Fields and enjoy the vibrancy of this area.

I’ve got to have a meal at… Comptoir Libanais. I love the bright decorations and the mezze plates are delicious.

I get my threads from… all over, as I like to purchase something wherever I travel. In London, it is a combination of vintage shops near Spitalfields / Brick Lane, as well as Topshop and Liberty.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… go to a Deviation party if you are in the mood to dance and if you want a great cocktail try Nightjar.

If I were mayor… I would encourage businesses to incorporate an arts initiative that would allow the works of emerging artists to be showcased in every corridor or office lobby.

My favourite spot to check out art is… Tiwani Contemporary, Whitechapel Gallery, Tate Modern (especially the Tanks) and Parasol Unit.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… go to Hampstead Heath; it is quaint and beautiful and doesn’t feel like it is in a city. I would also encourage a walk through Broadway market on a Saturday and Columbia Road Flower market on Sunday.

The things I miss when I leave London are… the beautiful parks and cheap Turkish food (halloumi and falafel wraps).

My soundtrack to London would be… Blood Orange, Champagne Coast

The post Metropolitans: Stephanie Baptist, Arts Producer appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The area in London I call home is… The East End. My work-life unit is just minutes off Brick Lane in a discreet complex with palm trees on the courtyard and very cool neighbours – we call the place Melrose Place. I love it, and could not imagine living anywhere else in London for now.

I’ve got to have a meal at… Franze & Evans on Redchurch Street for its versatility. It’s tiny but you can have a business coffee, Saturday brunch and Sunday lunch there, and it always seems to tick the box! I love their breakfast with Tuscan sausage, Italian style beans, slow-roasted tomatoes and fried eggs on toasted sourdough.

I get my threads from… Brick Lane. I’m lucky to be based just off there. It’s a haven for vintage shopping and has an amazing weekend market full of rare finds. But my favourite vintage store is Beyond Retro, which also happens to be about a minute from my flat making it very tempting to shop there all the time! When in central London, I tend to make a beeline for the Selfridges Shoe Hall. It has all the brands under one roof and is definitely worth a visit during the sales!

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… Go to underground club nights hosted by Bad Passion and Lasermagnetic, they do some of the best parties in east London. If you fancy a tipple, head to Danger of Death  or Ruby’s Basement Bar –  the cocktails are amazing.

If I were mayor… I would add coloured cycle lanes on all London roads, each in different colour, so you could cycle everywhere. Can you imagine how beautiful the map would look like!

My favourite spot to check out art is… Raven Row in Spitalfields. The space is beautifully restored and their programme is well curated.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to…  step to the side streets to get a real feel for London. Lower Marsh is just minutes from the London Eye but you feel like you have escaped the city. Marylebone High Street is a stone’s throw from Oxford Street but has a true local feel to it.

The things I miss when I leave London are… The buzz. The energy. The diversity. The madness. The people.

My soundtrack to London would be…

London in the Rain – Variety Lab (Hotel Costes, Vol.4: Quatre) – The name says it all. Our university teacher used to tell us that London really looks at its best when it rains and lights reflect off all surfaces.

Todd Terje Inspector Norse – Reminds me of some good nights out and about in East London. Do catch Todd Terje if he is town as wherever he plays, the atmosphere is sure to hit the roof.

Check out Aino’s installation, “Wild About Ikura” featuring ceramic vases and lamps from her Ikura collection at Wildabout,  87 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 5BX, running from September 17 to 29 2012 as part of the London Design Festival.

The post Metropolitans: Aino Kavantera, Designer appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The area in London I call home is… I live in Greenwich, but I always think of home as Brixton. It’s where I was raised and made so many crucial memories. But it’s been almost 10 years since I last lived there. I’ve also lived in Wembley for a couple of years. It was different to Brixton, but not so much where I felt out of place. It was still a bit naughty and I liked that. But eventually I had to return to south, as that’s where my heart is.

I’ve got to have a meal at …  St. John in Smithfield. It’s nose to tail eating, which makes it ethical because they use every part of the animal that usually gets thrown away. If you do pop in, I’d recommend trying the Grouse, it’s very tasty. To drink, I like to visit a secret absinthe bar on Chamberlayne Rod in Kensal Rise (The Broken Down Doll Bar and Boutique). From the outside it looks derelict with a window full of weird deflated green balloons. To get in you need to bring something green.

I get my threads from… mainly the high street – American Apparel for T-shirts and Uniqlo for jeans. But when I want to treat myself, I head to Comme des Garcon and Yohji Yamamoto for shirts and tailoring and Zadig & Voltaire for knitwear. For men when it comes to style, I feel they should keep it fairly simple and classic.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… head to east London. It’s full of energy, inspiration and interesting people. There’s so much going on there. You can bar and club hop all night and you’d barely scratch the surface.

If I were mayor… I would live in the new flats that have recently been built by Tate Modern.

My favourite spot to check out art is… either Lazarides or Elms Lester.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… take the time to look at the top of buildings. This city has a rich history in architecture. The tops of buildings in London, for the majority, are incredible and go unnoticed everyday.

The things I miss when I leave London are… not one thing in particular but, as a whole, what London represents to me. Its differences, opportunities and options, that’s what I would miss.

My soundtrack to London would be… I Luv U from Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner album and Has it Come To This? from the Original Pirate Material album by The Streets. Growing up as a teenager in London these two albums were the first albums I felt represented our generations London. I felt finally our generation had a voice in music; both hugely important albums to me.

Visit Rowan’s website at www.rowannewton.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @RowanNewton

The post Metropolitans: Rowan Newton, Artist appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The area in London I call home is… E4 bang bang, aka Chingford. I’ve lived here all of my life apart for three years at university.  I wouldn’t class it as “proper” London as it’s on the borders of the capital and Essex so it’s a bit of an odd suburb.

I’ve got to have a meal at… The Table Café, 83 Southwark Street, SE1 0HX. Table effortlessly pull off the relaxed café come restaurant look and vibe. The food is always great whether it be breakfast, brunch. lunch or dinner! The staff are friendly, the price is reasonable and the background music is always great – they were playing GangStarr, Nina Simone and Sly & the Family Stone last time I ate dinner there!

I tend to get my threads from… Most recently I picked up a few items from Albam. They’ve got a few stores around town. They have a good variety of clothes that can be worn as either smart or casual which is always useful. Tapered chinos and stuff like that I guess…

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… I prefer bars over clubs and where ever I go I always seem to end up at Dragon Bar on Shoreditch High Street. I think this is because when it was near Old Street roundabout, it was a bit like Cheers in there.  I recently went to Nightjar on City Road and I highly recommend anybody who likes cocktails, jazz or both. I can’t remember the name of it but they have a cocktail that combines red wine and dark chocolate. It goes down a treat with some live music. Just make sure you book in advance.

If I was mayor, I would… Fast track the proposal to put in a shopping lane and a walking lane for pedestrians on Oxford Street. I work near by and won’t feel guilty bashing tourists out of the way if they’re stood in the walking lane.

My favourite spot to check out art is… The Design Museum. I am more into design than art so it’s much more likely I would be paying a visit to their exhibitions that any of the other galleries. Plus, the last time I went I got to oggle at Joe Lewis’s 220ft yacht that was docked right outside on the Thames.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… either eat at Table after traipsing round the Tate or visit Lounge Bohemia on Great Eastern Street for a quirky bar with good cocktails and free hit or miss canapés. Make sure you book in advance though as they have been known to turn people away even if they’re nearly empty?!

The things I miss when I leave London are… The hustle. I strangely enjoy being in the city and fending for space. I like to rush around, skipping past dawdling tourists and generally getting to where I need to be without any hassle. I don’t have much patience for slow people on pavements. I also massively miss the Monmouth Coffee shop when I’m out of town. They have two shops and a roasters. I love filter coffees (bit of a coffee geek) and Monmouth are by far the best in my opinion.

My soundtrack to London would be…

Nightmares on Wax ft. LSK, Rodney P & Roots Manuva: 70’s 80’s Child (Upbringing Mix) – I’m a 80’s 90’s child but a lot of the lyrics in this song remind me of my childhood growing up in London. There’s a good few mentions of the recession too – funny how history repeats itself.

London Possé: How’s Life in London – Early Rodney P…need I say more? This came out a little after rappers in London realised they didn’t have to put on American accents to make a good hip-hop track. The line “A yank said I sound Australian” always cracks me up because that happened to me once. After just listening to this I wonder if people from outside the UK can even decipher half the stuff they’re rapping about.

Lovin’ Spoonful:  Summer in the City – When I’m riding in a sweaty, packed tube carriage and this starts playing on my iPod it always brings a smile to my face. However hot and stuffy London gets with its lack of air con anywhere the evenings are always great in the summer.

The post Metropolitans: Steven Layton, Graphic Designer appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The area in London I call home is… I was raised South of the river, but have also resided in Islington, Camden and Hackney. I’m currently in the process of moving back to North London, but would like to experience living on the Westside too. Holland Park is a cool area, as its tranquil, but still close to the buzz of the city centre.

 I’ve got to have a meal at… anywhere that serves authentic (cooked in the drum) jerk chicken! I’m a bit of a die-hard fan and will travel far and wide for the good stuff. One year, I passed through Notting Hill Carnival JUST for that reason! Haha… There used to be a festival called Jerk Cookout which took place every summer in Horniman Museum Gardens and it was heavenly! Lemonia in Chalk Farm is one of London’s best Greek restaurants, while Ponte Nuovo in Crystal Palace serves amazing Italian. I’m also a stickler for Thai and Indian cuisine and I can’t forget dim sum and tapas.  My parents and grandparents (plus various other family members) were restauranteurs, which probably explains why I’m a bit of a foodie!

 I tend to get my threads from… independent boutiques, High Street and online stores, markets (Spitalfields and Portabello are two of my faves) plus a few one-off pieces by some upcoming designers I know.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… Try something different! I advocate the ‘variety is the spice of life’ philosophy, have clocked up an endless list of alternative nights and am always on the hunt for new experiences. I guess it’s because I get bored easily, so avoiding the same old same old is a necessity.

 If I was mayor, I would… apart from slashing the extortionate public transport fares, expand train schedules to run later on weekends.  I’d really like to set up schemes which would enable underprivileged people to experience activities they would never usually have a chance to, from the arts to sporting events. Also, the general culture of rudeness bugs me! Londoners seriously need to learn how to be friendlier to each other, so I might have to introduce fines or some other way to eradicare that nonsense!  Also, in an ideal world,  I’d love to build a canopy over the city. The weather can really spoil the vibe at times, so having guaranteed warmth would be awesome! Of course it would be able to open on sunny days and when we need rain. Having seen Boris in action at Mayor’s Question Time, and being thoroughly unimpressed by his bafoonery, I would so revel in doing the job properly!

My favourite spot to check out art is… as a hobby photographer, I see art pretty much everywhere. I’m a fan of street art – from community murals to graffiti and the pavement re-creations of the masters’ classics you find in places like Covent Garden. In terms of more conventional exhibitions, whenever I hear of something that sparks interest, I’m there! …The Tate Modern is a great art space and their late night events make it a cool hang out spot too.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… Invest in taking one of the bus tours, as it’s a great way to see the whole city. The history you get is really insightful too. I’d also recommend doing a waterways walk – along the Southbank, by the Regent’s Canal or around Docklands, then go to Parliament Hill or Greenwich Park for panoramic views. Oh, and if you want good fish and chips in central London, Fryer’s Delight on Theobald’s Road in Holborn is the place to go.

The things I miss when I leave London are… apart from the obvious one, being my peoples, being away from the multiculturalism here makes me glad to come home.

My soundtrack to London would be: 

Prayin’ by Plan B – simply because this creative genius is a homegrown talent ;)

LDN by Lily Allen –  this track expresses the familiar pros and cons of life in London town.

Bright Lights, Bigger City by Cee-Lo Green –  apart from the fact I absolutely love this guy’s voice, the song is vibrant and the title says it all really ;)

The post Metropolitans: Maya Simeon, Freelance Creative appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.